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Medicare Covers COVID-19 Tests & CMS Issues Guidance to Medicare Advantage & Part D Plans

California Health Advocates > News > Medicare Billings, Claims & Appeals > Medicare Covers COVID-19 Tests & CMS Issues Guidance to Medicare Advantage & Part D Plans

Posted by Karen Joy Fletcher on March 13, 2020

As the coronavirus is spreading nationally and globally, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced early in March that Medicare will cover coronavirus testing. All COVID-19 tests ordered by your doctor or other health care provider will be covered under Medicare Part B as a diagnostic laboratory test, and therefore has no out-of-pocket costs. Coverage can be back dated to February 4, 2020, and providers must wait until April 1, 2020 to submit their bills to Medicare.

 

Guidance to Medicare Advantage & Part D Plans

Medicare coverage of COVID-19 testing is one of many federal agencies’ response to this outbreak. CMS sent guidance to all Medicare Advantage and Part D plans regarding required actions and flexibilities to increase access to treatment and prescriptions. Some of these “flexibilities” include allowing access to out-of-network providers, providing additional prescription refills, waiving prior authorizations and/or cost-sharing, and offering telehealth options. The guidance also reviews their obligations of coverage when a state has formally declared an emergency.

 

Guidance to Nursing Homes & Other Facilities/Agencies

CMS also issued revised guidance on March 9th to all nursing home facilities to help curb the spread of COVID-19, as older adults and communities of older residents are at greater risk for more serious complications from the virus. The guidance includes information on how to screen and limit visitors, how to monitor and restrict staff who develop symptoms, and what considerations and guidance to take into account when transferring a resident with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 to a hospital or receiving such a patient from a hospital. In addition, CMS has sent guidance to dialysis facilities, home health agencies, hospice agencies and more. See CMS’ current emergencies page for all updates and guidance on the Coronavirus.

 

New FAQs on Essential Health Benefits to be covered in response to COVID-19

CMS has a new Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) document on Essential Health Benefits (EHB) Coverage in response to the COVID-19 outbreak as well. This is to help ensure all Americans, insurers and states have clear information on their coverage benefits for COVID-19.

 

Congressional Legislation

On Wednesday 3/11, the House of Representatives introduced Families First Coronavirus Response Act (H.R. 6201), which would address some of the most immediate needs in our country. This includes paid leave for direct services providers and family caregivers, free COVID-19 testing, expansion of unemployment insurance, expanded nutrition assistance through SNAP and programs for older adults, people with disabilities, and Native Americans, and more federal funding for state Medicaid programs. This bill has still to go to the Senate.

 

In early March, Congress and the President signed an $8.3 billion emergency spending package to respond to COVID-19, including funding for testing kits, developing and distributing vaccines, buying medical supplies and funding for states to use in their COVID-19 responses.

 

Resources from the Administration for Community Living

The Administration for Community Living has a webpage with continual Centers for Disease Control (CDC) updates called What do Older Adults and People with Disabilities Need to Know about COVID-19? It outlines many practical tips on how to protect oneself and prevent the spread of COVID-19 and also has information in Spanish.

Filed Under: COVID-19, Medicare Basics, Medicare Billings, Claims & Appeals

Previous Post: « CHA Supports Family Caregiver Economic Security Act
Next Post: CMS Waives 3-Day Inpatient Requirement for Skilled Nursing Care »

About Karen Joy Fletcher

Our blogger Karen Joy Fletcher is CHA's Communications Director. With a Masters in Public Health from UC Berkeley, she is the online "public face" of the organization, provides technical expertise, writing and research on Medicare and other health care issues. She is responsible for digital content creation, management of CHA’s editorial calendar, and managing all aspects of CHA’s social media presence. She loves being a "communicator" and enjoys networking and collaborating with the passionate people and agencies in the health advocacy field. See her current articles.

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